The lytic cycle is faster than the lysogenic cycle. In the lytic cycle, a virus infects a host cell, replicates itself rapidly, and then causes the host cell to burst (lyse), releasing new viral particles. This entire process can occur in just a matter of hours, resulting in a quick increase in viral population.
In contrast, the lysogenic cycle does not kill the host cell immediately. Instead, the viral DNA integrates into the host’s genome and can remain inactive for an extended period. This means that while the lysogenic cycle can lead to viral replication, it takes longer for the virus to become active and produce new viruses. The distinction between the two cycles highlights the lytic cycle’s efficiency in virus propagation compared to the slower, more latent process of the lysogenic cycle.